Whip-socket



(No'ModeL) E. MILLER.

WHIP SOCKET. No. 443,483. Patented Dec. 23, 1890.

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j I I! l 4 9 I I 9 ,0 I i I 10 WITNESSES VENTOR: W zller/ ATTORNEY- UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

E.D\VARD MILLER, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

WHIP-SOCKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,483, dated December 23, 1890.

Application filed January 21, 1890. Renewed December 1, 1890, Saris-1N0. 373,237. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Whip-Sockets; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of whip-sockets; and it consists, generally, in devices'attached to a socket of ordinary form, whereby the butt of the whip may be securely locked in place in the socket.

The object of the invention is to provide means such that when locked the whip cannot be withdrawn from the' socket except by unlocking the clamps by which it is retained.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a side view of the improved socket; Fig. 2, a central longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 a cross-section of the same.

In the drawings, 1 representsa whip-socket of ordinary form, and 2 the butt of a whip inserted therein. lVithin the socket and secured thereto, preferably at a point near the top of the same, is a fiat spring 3, carrying at its lower extremity, preferably a little below the middle of the socket, a jaw 4, curved upon its inner face to correspond substantially with the form of the butt of a whip. By the form of the spring 3 this jaw 4 is normally thrown toward the center of the interior of the socket, but is capable of being pressed back, so as to lie closely against the inner surface of the same and to allow of as great a movement as possible in this direction in order to admit the entrance of a whip having a butt of any ordinary size. The outer edges of the ends of the jaw 4 are rounded oif to conform sub stantially with the curve of the inside of the socket.

At a point diametrically opposite the position of the jaw 4 is located a similar curved jaw 5, pivotally mounted upon the end of a spindle 6, having aportion thereof extending outside the socket, where it is provided with a suitable head 7. The spindle extends through a longitudinal slot 8; formed in the side of the socket, and upon the same is mounted, parallel with the head, a catch or button 9, having lugs extending in each direction and of a form to pass through the slot 8 when the head is so turned that the lugs register therewith. Outside the socket is a spring 10, in which the spindle is mounted, the spring embracing the latter between the head of the spindle and the button upon the same. The tendency of the spring is to draw the spindle outwardly, and when the latteris turned so that the button passes through the aperture the jaw 5 is drawn back against the interior of the socket, leaving an open space between the two jaws for the insertion of the whip. The whip being in place, the head is pressed in and turned. The lugs engaging with the curved interior of the socket, the jaw 5 is forced inwardly, and by the further turning of the head and on account of the resistance of the spring 3, carrying the other jaw, the whip is securely locked in place and can only be removed by reversing the spindle.

The object of the invention is primarily to afford such a safeguard that the whip is not liable to be stolen by making it impossible to take the whip from the socket without first releasing the jaws in which it is held.

I claim as my invention The combination, with a socket having a longitudinal slot in one side thereof, of a spring-mounted curved jaw located opposite the slot within the socket, a spindle passing through said slot, a second curved jaw pivotally mounted upon the end of said spindle, lugs upon each side of the said spindle adapted to pass through said slot when turned to register therewith and to engage with the curved interior of the socket at the sides of the slot when turned at an angle thereto, and a spring for retracting said spindle and jaw, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDlVARD MILLER. Witnesses:

F. W. LANE, WALTER HOLCOMB. 

